Tennessee Rehabilitation Center Celebrates Success of New Graduates
NASHVILLE — More than one hundred trained and skilled students embarked on new journeys today, as they graduated from programs within the Tennessee Rehabilitation Center (TRC) in Smyrna. These students – whose disabilities include traumatic brain injury, cognitive impairments and blindness – have received workplace and life management skills to enhance their chosen occupational paths.
Through classroom instruction and hands-on training in fields ranging from auto maintenance to business education to food service, and building maintenance, the graduates have learned skills to prepare them for success in the workforce.
State Rep. Mike Sparks of Smyrna delivered the commencement address. A student speaker and graduate Patrick Westmoreland, shared the podium during the graduation program, which took place in the center’s gymnasium.
“We are honored to play a part in these students’ lives and are inspired by their accomplishments,” said Tennessee Department of Human Services Commissioner Raquel Hatter.
“TRC students show an unwavering spirit towards overcoming barriers,” said Assistant Commissioner of Rehabilitation Services Cherrell Campbell-Street. “They recognize that their abilities outweigh their disability, and use them as catalysts for greater success.”
The Tennessee Rehabilitation Center, one of only eight centers in the nation, is a state operated comprehensive rehabilitation facility. TRC provided vocational rehabilitation services to nearly 800 students in FY 2014 and has a graduation rate of 89 percent. Since opening its doors in 1977, the TRC has provided life and job skills training to approximately 34,000 Tennesseans living with disabilities.
Services are provided on campus and the majority of students live in residential units on the campus while receiving services. The TRC is located at 460 9th Ave. in Smyrna, just east of the Smyrna Airport near Sam Ridley Parkway. For more information on the center, please visit http://tn.gov/humanserv/rehab/trc.html or call (615) 459-6811.
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